weezeralfalfa Review of Down to the Sea in Ships

Down to the Sea in Ships (1949)

Perfect marriage of an adventure story with character study

[9/10 · 5 June 2020]

Although this largely forgotten adventure story could have used a better title the main characters of aged whaling ship's captain Bering Joy, his young grandson, Jed, and first mate and Jed's tutor, Dan Lunceford, are played to perfection by Lionel Barrymore, Dean Stockwell, and Richard Widmark, respectively. .........Captain Joy must have seen the writing on the wall that this might be his last voyage as captain. Thus, he took his cabin-boy aged grandson along, to get him familiar with operations, in hopes that he will eventually become a whaler and captain. Part of Dan's job is to teach him 'the ropes', as Bering spent much of his time in his cabin, resting or charting their voyage..........During the last hour, several physical or personality crises occur. ..........The whale boat that includes Jed is long overdue back at the ship. Thus, Dan asks the Captain's permission to lower the other whaling boat to search for them. But , he knows it's the captain's policy not to have both boats at sea at the same time. As expected, the captain denies permission. But, after further delay, Dan takes it upon himself to launch a rescue mission, while the captain was in his cabin. Dan found that the other boat had somehow broken up, and that the survivors were clinging to flotsam. After returning to the ship, the captain initially commended Dan on his successful rescue. But, then he chastised him for disobeying orders, relieved him of his position, and said he would be put ashore at the first port. Although Dan takes this punishment in stride, Jed is very upset about the harsh punishment. Later, he comes to the captain and requests that he be put shore with Dan. Request denied. This matter is finally resolved when Captain Bering announces that he feels too sick to continue as captain, and that he is appointing Dan as acting captain, since Dan has training to be ship's captain.........Another crisis arises when the ship strikes a glancing blow with an iceberg, in the fog. Dan sees that a sizable hole has been torn just above the waterline. He and another are lowered on a rope with a skin patch in hand. But, the patch is only partially attached before the other man is crushed to death, and Dan suffers a serious injury, as well. Dan is hauled up and administered to. Thus, another crewman announces that he is acting captain, and orders the crew to abandon ship. But, Bering emerges from his cabin, and announces that he is resuming as captain, and that there will be no abandonment of the ship. He is lowered down, and secures the patch, before being hauled up, and taken to his cabin for a long rest. In the finale, Dan has recovered, and is once again captain. He and Jed are smiling, as another whaling vessel approaches. Asked who is captain of this ship, Dan answers " Captain Bering Joy"